Price Key

Tastiest Kimchi: You’d have to flee the country to avoid Korea’s sour, spicy cabbage staple, so there are plenty of contenders in this category, but the award has to go to the supremely pungent, extra-garlicky version served up by Myeongdong Gyoza ($).

Most Romantic Meal: A summer night in the cozy, candlelit expanse of Dugahun’s ($$$) courtyard, sampling fine wines and continental delicacies, would be enough to make the hardest of hearts swoon.

Best Vegetarian: Baru’s ($$$) sensual, artistic take on Korean temple cuisine demonstrates masterfully that there’s nothing austere or boring about meat-free eating.

Most Elaborate Banquets: They’re pricey, but sampling one of the dazzling set meals in the hallowed halls of Seokparang ($$$) is probably the best way to get a sense of how Joseon-era royalty ate.

Classiest Cheap Eats: Sak ($), a vendor of quality local snack foods in the trendy Hongdae district, proves you don’t have to sacrifice style or flair in cheap eats.

Best Desserts: The Itaewon-area bakery Passion 5 ($$$) churns out delectable chocolates, pastries, and other treats.

Biggest Culinary Trend-Setter: Self-billed “new Korean” restaurants blending local flavors and contemporary culinary techniques are popping up all over the place, but Jungsikdang ($$$) remains the original and most inventive, and continues to set the bar for the rest.

Most Original Eating Experience: Step into fusion restaurant Star Chef ($$$) and tell your server you’d be happy to eat whatever the chef is recommending that evening. You may not be able to name the origins of the dish you end up sampling, but it’s guaranteed to be fresh, flavorful, and big enough to feed several.

Best Barbecue: It’s rarely a struggle to make fresh, flame-grilled beef or pork taste good, but Hwago Jip ($$) deserves special mention for its warm atmosphere, favorable price-to-quality ratio, and considerate service.